Saturday, June 30, 2012

Egg Missles and Booze Breakers

Egg Missles

A friend from our deaf-blind listserv sent the "Egg Missles" story and it reminded me of a funny thing which happened to me.  This is Sunday's post, early.

The Eastern Seaboard ain't the only ones frying.  We have fire hazard warnings out and it was 100 today.  I know, you guys had higher temperatures.  But out watering the garden it's hard to tell sweat from humidity or accidental self-dousing with the garden hose sometimes.  Can't get my hearing aids wet, or I'd go soak my head!


Hey Sheila
This reminds me Very much of something which happened to me years ago when I had
more hearing.  It would be more dangerous now, but I think it's funny.
A friend gave me a small bottle of raspberry liqueur for a Christmas present.  It
went up in the cabinet.
One night I was making Indian fry bread in deep fryer.  I reached into the cabinet
to get something, Splash went the bottle of booze into deep fryer.  Uh-oh!
Grab scoop to fish it out, I heard a distinct  little " Plink," unlike any noise I've Ever  heard before.   I know glass is about to shatter.
Rush to sink, deposit bottle as fast and gently as possible, bottle says "crack!"   My Seeing Eye dog Always follows me into the kitchen to hoover up any crumbs dropped.  She's Right behind me.  I drop on her with my whole body, covering my head with my arms, BOOM! Bottle blows.  We're both ok, but glass shards and hot sticky booze scattered around.  When I first
told a blind hearing friend about it his first words were, "oo, cool!  What kind
of a Noise did it make?"
When Ann came to live at my mobile home one of her first questions was, "What's that
big brown stain on your ceiling,  above the sink?"

Not as well told as your story, but still funny.
I gave away the deep fryer when I decided fry bread wasn't good for me anyway.

----- Original Message -----
From:  Sheila

Sent: Friday, June 29, 2012 2:07 PM
Subject:  EGG MISSILES

get ready to laugh!
First time it ever happened...I put eggs on to boil...forgot about them...went to
my office. Later...POP! POP!! Hey what's that? Sniff..sniff..oh crap the eggs! Running
to kitchen...missiles eggs flying...DUCK!! Run....grab pan..throw into sink..duck
another missile! Whew...sweep up...let dogs in to find the missing yolks.  Now a  couple weeks later..this morning I was in the kitchen talking to my
partner. Suddenly she says.."why are there eggshells stuck on the ceiling?" ROFL!!!!

Food Nazi and Other Divides

Food Nazi?

A friend was talking about recipes and described some neighbors as "food Nazis".  Nazis,  she was very embarrassed about using the term, not politically correct.

I said I was rather picky about what I ate and was I a "food nazi?" she said yes.

So I asked what a food nazi was.  Evidently it is someone who makes their food preferences known and then either They expect others to abide by them at social gatherings, OR, (and this may have been my friend's problem) Others think that to be seen as "good people" They must Only bring foods to communal gatherings which those they call "food Nazis" would like.

So who has the problem?  Our world is terribly divided over many issues to the point that we hate one another Personally, for disagreeing with our views, religion or denomination, sexual orientation, voting choices,  and now food?

I think we cannot afford such divisions and survive as a people, a nation, or a human race.  This doesn't mean you have to like me or agree with me.  It hopefully Does mean you can restrain yourself from calling me naves in public for the purpose of humiliating me.  I wish it meant you wouldn't discard me from your mind as trash because of our differences, and it Shouldn't mean that you have to physically injure or kill me because of them.

My friend did not use the term "food nazi" in public.  But I got to thinking about it anyway. I remember once at a women's gathering an African American woman came in and spoke.  She said she was sick and tired of people judging her for who she was and dividing up into little factions.  She said she ate meat, wore perfume, and liked chains.  And her conclusion was that people were just too damned picky about who they considered to be Good or Acceptable people.

If perfume makes a person physically ill they have the Need to request that the people they meet with use unscented products.  If scented products make someone uncomfortable but not ill, they may want to consider the consequences of requesting that those they meet with use only unscented products.

I do not like smoke.  In a closed in space it makes me physically ill.  I choke, and my eyes and nose won't stop running.  But I have friends who smoke.  When we are together my friends smoke either outside and with the wind blowing their smoke away from me whenever possible, or they arrange the air flow in a vehicle so that I can breathe without pain and they can smoke.  The smoke still makes me uncomfortable, I still do Not like it.  But I choose to keep my friends over demanding that they don't smoke in my presence.  If I made this demand I would probably see a lot less of them.

At family gatherins most of the food was something Ann couldn't eat.  It either had lots of sugar, (Ann was diabetic) or it had gluten and Ann had Celiac Disease, gluten intolerance.  But we went anyway.  There was a combination of accomodaation to Ann's needs and we also brought foods she could eat.  If an important part of the meal was bread, we brought gluten free bread.  If there was a sugar-filled sweet potato casserole, we brought baked sweet potatoes.  It was a combination arrangement.

I don''t eat much meat.  If someone is having steak I might eat a very small piece or just eat veggie. Dishes.  I will Not demand that others adhere to my food preferences.

I have had vegan friends who always brought something they could eat to communal potlucks.  This is what Ann and I did at family gatherings.

Bottom line:  people deserve to have medical needs respected; but whenever possible I think we who have differing preferences than the majority of Americans can either make compromises or choose not to attend gatherings where we cannot physically stand the offending circumstances.  We Cannot All have Everything we want.  If we want to survive and have friends, we need to remember how to compromise when compromise is possible.

Sounds simple, doesn't it?  But you might be surprised how much anger there is between smokers and non-smokers, vegetarians and veagan vegetarians, vegetarians and those who eat meat, Muslims, Christians, and Jews, LBGT people and heterosexuals, and on and on and on.

Two books have been important to me when considering these things.  One is "The Filter Bubble" by Eli Perrizer, which points out that people who get their news from "liberal" sources never listen to "conservative" news sources, and vies versa.  The other, which I just recently read is "Half the Sky." 

This book discusses gender discrimination across the world and its effects, economic, health,  social, and cultural.  It points out that "Feminists" and missionaries are often working toward the same goals while they battle one another in the developing world.  And the book points out many issues on which these two groups can cooperate, If they would.  No one wants mothers to die in obstructed labor.  No one wants women who suffer obstructed labor or rape to have to live with fistulas. As a part of general maternal health education, the dangers of female genital cutting can be discussed with women and men.    Cooperation to iodize salt is Very cheap and would raise IQ.'s, especially for female fetuses.  De-worming communities has proven to be of great benefit in helping children learn.  This is also inexpensive.

I personally do not believe in missionaries.  But I respect the fact that many give their whole lives not only to spreading their faith, but to treating the sick, educating children and adults in basic literacy, starting vocational training programs, etc.  But instead of cooperating where we can, we battle one another over abortion, LBGT rights, and other political issues which Are of Vital importance.  But doesn't it make more sense to work Together where possible and Not work together where we disagree?  I won't support a religious education program.  I will support feeding and re-hydration therapy, basic literacy efforts, and the other causes listed above.  If I know most of my money is going where I choose, then I can ignore a bit of religious teaching, so long as it isn't about discriminating against others.  Most religions Do discriminate against Some group, but there Are  missionaries who focus on love and acceptance rather than separateness.

To quote the Stones, "We can't always have what we want, but sometimes we get what we need."  The more we learn or are Foorced to learn to work together, the better off we will be as human kind. 

Friday, June 29, 2012

Affordable Care Act Upheld by Supreme Court

Many people were enraged by this decision, which  upheld the votes of the Federal House and Senate.  But they Don't want anyone bumping into their car who isn't Legally Mandated to carry Car insurance.  Why don't they object to That legal mandate?  It makes Money for Insurance Companies but infringes on Every driver's "right to say No" is It an unconstitutional law?  Nope.

There is the to me more real concern about how to pay for the Needed changes.  But in part, I believe it's a matter of priorities, and Not just for people with disabilities. 

Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund. Advocating for Disability Civil Rights
since 1979
Supreme Court Upholds Affordable Care Act
June 28, 2012
DREDF celebrates the US Supreme Court's ruling today that upholds the constitutionality
of the individual mandate in the Affordable Care Act (ACA)!
The US Supreme Court Rules on the Constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act—What
was at Stake?
This historic decision means that people with disabilities will continue to benefit
from the profound impact of the landmark law. By affirming the individual mandate,
the Court ensured that private insurers will have access to the largest possible
pool of enrollees, thus holding costs down. In combination with market reforms prohibiting
discrimination against people with pre-existing conditions, this affirmation will
make it possible for everyone, including an estimated 3.5 million uninsured people
with disabilities, to benefit from more affordable insurance prices.
A majority of the Court did strike down the provision in the law that would allow
the federal government to penalize any state that does not expand their Medicaid
program by withholding all of that state's existing Medicaid funding. However, as
the Court's minority decision pointed out, the majority struck down the authority
to withhold, not the authority to grant. While the full impact of this part of the
holding remains to be seen, it is likely that some states may choose to expand Medicaid
in exchange for additional federal funding, which will benefit millions more low-income
adults with disabilities.
Key Provisions of the Law for People with Disabilities
Individual Mandate
The ACA requires most U.S. citizens and legal residents to have health insurance
and includes penalties for those who do not. It also provides for cost sharing and
premium credits for low-income families and establishes Health Benefit Exchanges
through which individuals can purchase coverage.
Low-Income Medicaid Expansion
States have the option to open Medicaid eligibility to all individuals and families
with income up to 133 percent of the federal poverty level. In 2010, as many as 3.5
million adults with disabilities living in the community have household incomes between
100 and 133% of poverty and therefore may qualify for Medicaid under the expansion.
Insurance Market Reform
An estimated 3.5 million people between the ages of 16 and 65 with pre-existing medical
conditions or disabilities who are currently uninsured will no longer be shut out
of the private insurance market as of 2014.
Temporary coverage is available for people with pre-existing medical conditions or
disabilities until 2014 through state-run high-risk pools.
Dependent children under the age of 26, including those with disabilities, can remain
on their family's health policy. An estimated 4.1 million young people aged 15 to
24 have disabilities. An additional 500,000 reach adulthood each year and face loosing
health coverage.
Insurers may no longer cancel a health policy because the policyholder develops a
serious medical condition.
Discrimination on the basis of health status is prohibited.
Improvements to Public Programs
Long Term Services and Supports
The ACA created new and extended existing programs to help people with disabilities
avoid institutionalization and remain in their homes and in the community:
States may now cover comprehensive community attendant care services under their
optional Medicaid service plan.
Home and community based services (HCBS) are strengthened.
States can receive a Medicaid incentive payment if they increase spending on community-based
long term services and supports and reduce support for institutions.
A demonstration program ("Money Follows the Person") that helps people move from
institutional settings to the community is extended.
Healthcare Provider Training and Research
Increases opportunities for training of health care providers (including dentists)
on the needs of people with developmental and other disabilities.
Authorizes new training programs for direct support workers who provide long term
services and supports.
Comparative effectiveness research, which will eventually influence the treatments
insurers will cover, will take into account potential differences in the effectiveness
of healthcare treatments and services for people with various disabilities, their
quality of life preferences, and also include representatives from these groups in
research.
Data Collection
Requires collection of data on where people with disabilities access health services
and where accessible facilities can be found.
Adds disability status as a bona fide health disparities in population and health
care quality reporting surveys.
Accessible Diagnostic Equipment
Requires that access standards be established for medical diagnostic equipment such
as exam tables and weigh scales and mammography equipment
© 2012
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Sunday, June 24, 2012

Two Blog Posts at Once

Two Blogs in One

Because I've been having trouble with my computer I have two blogs, which together are depressing.  Please read the first and when you come to a new title, wait a couple of days to read the second, which Does contain humor as well as annoyance.  Thank you for being kind enough to read them at all!


Disability or Character Flaw, Can You Tell the Difference?

Once a friend of mine parked in a "handicapped parking spot" and was Roundly berated by someone for Not being "handicapped" but "stealing the place of another person  who was."

When he exited his car it became obvious that he had lost a leg and used crutches.

Ann, my former partner had scoliosis, Fibromyalgia, diabetes, osteoarthritis,  and the flattest feet anyone had Ever seen.  She stuck to her diabetic diet Religiously, but found walking and exercise very painful.  Physicians now know that the drug she took to lower her blood sugar is associated with weight gain.  They did not know this when Ann was alive.

Although Ann worked hard to lose weight she was overweight.  Her diabetic cheat test, (called A1C) Always came in at 5. something or at most, 6. something.  Her endocrinologist was shooting for a score of no More than 7.  This proved Ann Didn't cheat.

She attended water therapy for years until it became so expensive she couldn't afford it. I offered to pay for it, as I paid for her glasses, but she absolutely refused. But the water therapy left her physically strong, in spite of being in never ending pain.

Once she went to a Dr. to have an in-grown toenail removed. If the toenail had become infected it could have led to amputation, as Ann was diabetic.

The Dr. Ann saw was training a resident, Without bothering to ask Ann if she felt ok with this.  After removing the toenail he turned to the resident saying, "This one will be in a wheelchaiur by the time she's fifty." In a dismissive and derogatory tone.  Then the Dr. and his trainee walked out.

Ann was crushed!  She came home and cried.  She was working So Hard to Stay as healthy as Possible, how could he Judge her like that?  And he wasn't the only one.  Many people looked at Ann as though she was a fat, Lazy person, who had "let herself go."  Actually I never met anyone who tried harder just to Maintain her health.  And she was Never lazy about doing what needed to be done.

As it happened, Ann began using a power wheelchair to go a block or farther at the age of 51.  It was only then that she wondered if  the Dr. Might have been making a medical assessment, Not a character judgment.  But given his tone and callous insensitivity toward  Ann, it is hard to tell.

If a person has a visible disability they are likely to be reacted to in an obvious manner.  They may be prayed over without their consent, shunned, laughed at, ignored when requesting anything, or talked to as if they are children when they are adults. 

When a person has an Invisible disability its results are most likely to be treated as a personal character flaw.  My friend in the car had an invisible disability until he stepped Out of his car.  Ann, and many other people have disabilities which remain Invisible.  Often they are assumed to be things they Aren't.  And if they try to explain that they are disabled, this is often taken as Further evidence that they are lazy, negative, whining people. 

Ann and I often discussed the differences in how people treated us.  I did not like being hassled, but at least it was overt and when I had the energy, it could usually be dealt with.

Having people in general assume incorrect things about you and act on those assumptions is far harder to take, I think.  Both kinds of prejudice hurt and effect one's self-esteem.  But one can be dealt with.   An Attempt to deal with a hidden disability by explanation is likely to be interpreted only as Proof that the incorrect assumptions made are True.

This is why many people with non-visible disabilities choose to hide them and subject themselves to danger, in some cases.  The same can also be true of people with visible  disabilities  who choose to pretend they are Not disabled.

I once had a client in the rural Ozarks who was severely visually impaired.  But this person refused to carry a white cane, even for purposes of identification, so that Others would know they couldn't  see well and would hopefully  drive more carefully.  When next I saw this individual they had a broken leg from a fall which proper use of a white cane would have prevented.

Given the environment of religious fervor in which this person lived and the fear level of blindness, I can understand the choice that was made.  The combination of religious fervor and fear is nearly Always Toxic to the person or nation it is turned upon.  A deep belief in God may be no problem.  But combine it with Great Fear and there Is a problem. 

Fear leads to a desire for safety from harm and control over one's life and future.  My understanding is that none of us Truly have as much control over our circumstances as we want to believe.  What we have Much more control over is How we React to them, What we Do about them.

But deep fear and a desperate search for an explanation tends to lead to blaming the person perceived as Different, or some other untrue or unhelpful explanation of what has happened.  Anyone ending up in a painful situation may end up as the target of the fears of others.

So the choice my client Really had to make was, which hurts more, having a broken leg or trying to overcome their own fears and those of their community?  It truly Is a hard choice.  Trying to confront one's own fear and educate fearful people all around is a Pioneer's task.

Another person I worked with asked me to put bright orange glue dots on their speedometer, as they couldn't read it at all, even with glasses.  This person was willing to put everyone in their city in danger in order to keep driving.  I had to decline.  Giving up the freedom of driving is an extremely Painful thing to have to do.  But is another person's Life worth ones ability to drive?  I wondered how this individual would feel if they hit another car and killed someone, or several people.

Bottom lines:  1.  Yes there Are people who abuse the system  2.  You can't Truly know who those people are, so please try Not to judge.  3.  When faced with a person who has a disability, look at your Own feelings, please don't project them onto the disabled person.  There is nothing wrong with feeling fear or revulsion.  What may be wrong is What you Choose to Do with these feelings.  You can choose to recognize them and look at them more deeply when you have time, (Please Take the time) or you can project them out so you Don't have to look at them.  In doing so, you may do real harm to another person, whether you can see their disability or not.


Finding a New Doctor

Dr.'s have been among the most ignorant people I know concerning disability.  My primary care physician, whom I Very much Appreciate is leaving.  I will have to choose another Dr., as she won't be allowed by her hospital contract to say  where she is going.  I would follow her and my guess is that other patients would too.  The hospital doesn't want to lose money by losing patients.

I Dread trying to find a Dr. who will treat me as an intelligent being who knows my own body better than he or she does.

I do not know how to go about this, except by interviewing physicians.  And large clinics are set up to try and Prevent changing Dr.'s, when They don't instigate the changes Themselves.

I do not wish to waste  time and energy "Dr. hopping."  But what else can I do?  You pay your money and you take your chances.

It probably sounds like I am overstating this and "just being paranoid."  So let me tell you a couple of stories.

When I first began to have difficulty crossing streets independently, due to hearing loss I went to a number of Dr.'s trying to find out Why I was losing hearing. 
One Dr.
said, "Well you're already blind, so if you lose some hearing it's really no big deal.  I mean, all you do is sit around all day anyway."

I was so shocked I didn't even mouth off or give him a gesture Any American driver would understand.  I did, however, leave. 

When Dr.'s in this health uncare system ask why my ENT and audiologist belong to a different healthcare system and I tell them, their first statement is Always one of disbelief.  Why would I make up something that cruel and Ignorant when I Don't sit around all day?

Another Dr. I left was one I went to with a serious ear infection.  A friend drove me.

The Dr., looking at my friend asked, "What's wrong with her?"  I answered, "I have an ear infection."

Dr., again looking at my friend asked, "Why does she think she has an ear infection?"  I answered, "because I am dizzy, can barely hear you,  my balance is screwed up, and my ears hurt."

Dr., looking at my friend asks, "Does she have a fever?"  I say, "I can't read the thermometer but I feel like I have a fever."

Dr. looks at friend, asks, "How have her bowel movements been?"

Finally my friend can stand no more and shouts, (I heard Her ok) "How the Hell do I know, I'm her Neighbor, Not her Mother!"

Doc' takes my temperature, I have a fever.  He looks in my ears, (ouch) and prescribes antibiotics.  I was so sick it was all I could do to walk upright, I guess that's why I didn't yell at the man.

Many Dr.'s tend to treat me as though my brain doesn't work, since my Eyes don't.

I have had sighted people run across traffic, endangering their own lives to Help Me cross because I was and am Blind.  Do I Really want their Help?  I'm not willing to walk out into traffic moving back and forth directly in front of me, even if They are!

I could waste Reams of paper writing down such ridiculous but True stories and the scary thing is, so could just about every person with a disability whom I have met.

The situation is sometimes complicated further if the Dr. I go to happens to be from a country where people with disabilities must beg or rely completely on their families to physically survive.  I am Not trashing physicians from other countries.  At least They have a lot of good Reasons not to know about how we who have disabilities are privileged to live, pay taxes, and work. 

The Americans who have gone to medical school here have Far less excuse.  But cultural barriers such as the belief that a disabled person shouldn't be allowed to live, or that his/her disability is a punishment for evil misdeeds or from God can get in the way.

Come to think of it, though, sometimes that's not too different from the crap I run into right here in the Ozarks.

So finding a new Dr. is a DRAG!

But I Still count the blessing of Medicaid which Allows me to find, or Try and find a Dr.  I am very aware that many of my hard working fellow Americans don't Even Have this option.  May they have it SOON!

Friday, June 15, 2012

Problems in Burma

What is Burma?

A country in Southeast Asia bordering Thailand, with many refugees from violence in camps in Thailand.  Please look it up or just read the plea for help below.

Every couple of weeks I get mail from this group documenting more rape, torture, and forcing children to become soldiers.  There have also been cases where ethnic civilians have been forced to walk through land mine fields to protect army personnel. 

Secretary of State Hilary Clinton has said "Invest in Burma."

But that is not what Burmese refugees in the U.S. are saying, and it is not what this group has been calling for Each and Every Summer. 

This Isn't Syria and the legislation to keep pressure on the military rulers of Meinmar or Burma are Already in place.  But with our Government urging companies to invest in Burma, there is a real increase in the level of fear among Burma's people, and their allies, that investment will take precedents Over Human Rights.  Can you please help?  There is a website something like
US.senate.gov and us.house.gov, (not sure of exact address, I am sorry) which lists all senators and representatives by state.

Why should we care?  Because we have a chance to help make the world just a little safer for vulnerable people.
 I wish similar legislation Were in place in Every country where there is war.  But that would stop most resource extraction, I would guess.  Since we have the chance to help Someone, let's take it.


Email Your Senators and Representative For Burma

Will you make sure that Congress makes protecting human rights—not satisfying corporate
greed—their main priority in Burma?
Tell your Senators and Representative to support the renewal of the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act (BFDA) today
.
As we speak, Burma’s military is committing heinous human rights abuses against Burma’s
ethnic civilians, particularly the Kachin. Burma’s regime still refuses to admit
there are hundreds of political prisoners behind bars.
More and more farmers are forced off their land to make way for foreign investment
.
Some farmers have been arrested for refusing to leave their land
. We must send a strong signal that real reform respects rights, not profits. The
import ban in the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act is the last piece of leverage
the U.S. has to push the Burmese Army to stop attacking civilians and pursue irreversible
reforms.
Please take a minute to send an
email to your Senators and Representative today
 to renew Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act before it expires this summer.
In 2003 Congress passed landmark legislation, the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act,
which has stopped hundreds of millions of dollars from entering the pockets of the
military junta and its cronies. Every year this important legislation must be renewed
before it expires, each summer strong grassroots pressure from Americans is what
keeps these sanctions firmly in place.
WITHOUT YOUR HELP WE WILL NOT SUCCEED
. The Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act is the only leverage the U.S has left to
push the Burmese regime to move forward with positive changes and hold them accountable
for widespread human rights abuses and mass atrocities they commit against the people
of Burma.

Despite all the changes that have taken place in central Burma, there is little or
no change in the ethnic nationality areas, especially in Shan and Kachin areas where
severe fighting is ongoing between the Burmese army and ethnic armed groups. This
year alone,
there have been at least 750 human rights abuses incidents
 committed by the Burmese troops against ethnic minority civilians. While current
peace talks between ethnic armed groups and the civilian arm of Burma’s regime is
ongoing;
the military continues to carry out atrocities
 and build up their presence in resource rich ethnic areas.
In addition to the most
egregious human rights abuses in conflict zones
, throughout the country the regime carries out forced labor, forced relocation,
extortion, land confiscation and burning of civilians’ crops and farms, some of it
in the name of making way for foreign investment.
Aung San Suu Kyi recently encouraged caution about being too optimistic about change
in Burma, and
left it up to the American people
 to decide about sanctions. 

Show your solidarity and support for the people of Burma.
Email your Senators and Representative today
 and let them know that sanctions are key in continuing to keep the pressure on the
regime in Burma if we want to see an end to human rights abuses and genuine democratic
change in the country.
In solidarity,


Myra and USCB team
Become a member of the U.S. Campaign for Burma.
Or, make a tax-deductible donation today.
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Tuesday, June 12, 2012

The Process of Learning TASL

Learning TASL

This is hard work.  First, there are at least three sign languages used by deaf or deaf-blind people.  One is named after a man whose name I don't know and is some form of signed English.  One is ASL, language of deaf people.  A third is Signed Exact English, and the fourth is TASL, for deaf-blind people.  I try to use as much ASL as possible, but must modify it with either English or by changing it so that it can be read by touch.  Much ASL language meaning is conveyed not by just hand and arm movements, but by nonverbal cues such as facial expressions, body position in relation to others, etc.  This is why sighted people who see ASL say it is a very beautiful language which reminds them of ballet.

Then add the complication of an ever changing language.  Older speakers may use signs which aren't much used by younger people and there are new signs developing all the time, just like in any living language.

If you think about it, there was a time when words like "online, homophobia, tramp stamp" and abbreviations like "lol," weren't a part of English.

I try to learn a combo of ASL and Tasl with a little signed English.  I like skipping unnecessary words so do Not like Signed Exact English.  As I had painful tendonitis in right hand and arm Before starting TASL, why make worse with words like "the"?

After each hours long lesson, I write down all signs I remember and how to make.  This not easy because must write which way Each palm faces, which way fingers point, (at ceiling, angled up, to right and down, left and up, etc.) for Each hand.  Must pay attention to fingers spread, which ones spread, and position of thumb on each hand.  Then must describe movement of each hand.

There can be several signs for same English word.  Example: "light".  Light source like bulb or lamp is one sign.  Bright light is another, whole concept in one sign.  Another variation for Flashing Light.

Never remember all signs taught in detail.  So write in Braille after words I describe those I not remember.  Best place I find to look up words is ASL University online, Life Print site.  Dr. Vicars, who teaches here,  helps much by describing signs according to letter and number shapes.  Is Very helpful short cut to help me  learn.

So, I ask friend to look up signs not remember there.  She describe and demonstrate them.  I repeat until can write description in Braille, takes Many pages.  Braille three pages to each page of print.  Then practice each day.

Problem is Dr. Vicars uses both younger signs and only ASL because this what he teach.  So from his description must try to remember TASL or signed English I been taught.  Not always similarity, but Usually can figure it out and write correct description.

One lesson me learn a TASL sign for "go" next lesson may be told is wrong, shown ASL sign.  Me trying to learn both so can talk to largest number of people.

Includeing (no ING in ASL) practice, takes at least two or two and a half hours a day.  Me already busy, Very exhausting.

Sometimes me say to self, "No need learn all this, with cochlear implant as last resort, might never need."  True, but no guarantees in life at all.  Me have severe hearing loss, but hearing aids,  make up a lot.  Still, if Medicaid go next year, no more hearing aids, cost too much!  Also, is always good to learn another language when possible.  And me afraid of cochlear implant.  Tell Dr. NOT until hearing aids no longer help.  They not always work.  And sudden constant Loud always noises you can't turn off send some people to psych. Ward.  I hate surgery!

So not know if work hard to learn  language I will not need or if be Very Thankful someday, could be any day, for another way to communicate.

Hard choice to keep work hard at it.  Make hand and arm Hurt, me  ice twice daily and take anti-inflamatory before lesson and day after also, sometimes.

This post Not written in either TASL or ASL.  Some kind signed English, because English word order.  To check out ASL, see ASL U.

This not in ASL but Spellcheck have a Fit!  Not like anything I write!  Me say "kiss a truck, me tired!"

Learning TASL

This is hard work.  First, there are at least three sign languages used by deaf or deaf-blind people.  One is named after a man whose name I don't know and is some form of signed English.  One is ASL, language of deaf people.  A third is Signed Exact English, and the fourth is TASL, for deaf-blind people.  I try to use as much ASL as possible, but must modify it with either English or by changing it so that it can be read by touch.  Much ASL language meaning is conveyed not by just hand and arm movements, but by nonverbal cues such as facial expressions, body position in relation to others, etc.  This is why sighted people who see ASL say it is a very beautiful language which reminds them of ballet.

Then add the complication of an ever changing language.  Older speakers may use signs which aren't much used by younger people and there are new signs developing all the time, just like in any living language.

If you think about it, there was a time when words like "online, homophobia, tramp stamp" and abbreviations like "lol," weren't a part of English.

I try to learn a combo of ASL and Tasl with a little signed English.  I like skipping unnecessary words so do Not like Signed Exact English.  As I had painful tendonitis in right hand and arm Before starting TASL, why make worse with words like "the"?

After each hours long lesson, I write down all signs I remember and how to make.  This not easy because must write which way Each palm faces, which way fingers point, (at ceiling, angled up, to right and down, left and up, etc.) for Each hand.  Must pay attention to fingers spread, which ones spread, and position of thumb on each hand.  Then must describe movement of each hand.

There can be several signs for same English word.  Example: "light".  Light source like bulb or lamp is one sign.  Bright light is another, whole concept in one sign.  Another variation for Flashing Light.

Never remember all signs taught in detail.  So write in Braille after words I describe those I not remember.  Best place I find to look up words is ASL University online, Life Print site.  Dr. Vicars, who teaches here,  helps much by describing signs according to letter and number shapes.  Is Very helpful short cut to help me  learn.

So, I ask friend to look up signs not remember there.  She describe and demonstrate them.  I repeat until can write description in Braille, takes Many pages.  Braille three pages to each page of print.  Then practice each day.

Problem is Dr. Vicars uses both younger signs and only ASL because this what he teach.  So from his description must try to remember TASL or signed English I been taught.  Not always similarity, but Usually can figure it out and write correct description.

One lesson me learn a TASL sign for "go" next lesson may be told is wrong, shown ASL sign.  Me trying to learn both so can talk to largest number of people.

Includeing (no ING in ASL) practice, takes at least two or two and a half hours a day.  Me already busy, Very exhausting.

Sometimes me say to self, "No need learn all this, with cochlear implant as last resort, might never need."  True, but no guarantees in life at all.  Me have severe hearing loss, but hearing aids,  make up a lot.  Still, if Medicaid go next year, no more hearing aids, cost too much!  Also, is always good to learn another language when possible.  And me afraid of cochlear implant.  Tell Dr. NOT until hearing aids no longer help.  They not always work.  And sudden constant Loud always noises you can't turn off send some people to psych. Ward.  I hate surgery!

So not know if work hard to learn  language I will not need or if be Very Thankful someday, could be any day, for another way to communicate.

Hard choice to keep work hard at it.  Make hand and arm Hurt, me  ice twice daily and take anti-inflamatory before lesson and day after also, sometimes.

This post Not written in either TASL or ASL.  Some kind signed English, because English word order.  To check out ASL, see ASL U.

This not in ASL but Spellcheck have a Fit!  Not like anything I write!  Me say "kiss a truck, me tired!"



Monday, June 11, 2012

Because Citizens Have the Right

I am neither Democrat nor Republican.  But I am a registered voter who tries to sample a Variety of news sources before making up my mind on an issue or Who I will vote for.

As a non-driving deaf-blind person my State ID. might expire without my knowledge.  After all, I can't even Read the thing!

I do Not like voter registration laws which push Our Citizens Out of the ballot box, Regardless of color, national origin, sexual preference, disability, or for Any other reason.

That is why I include the article below as a post.

Click here to sign your name:
"Block Florida's racist voter purge program immediately."
Sign the Petition!

According to a prominent Friday
Tampa Bay Times
editorial, Florida Republican Governor Rick Scott is
"standing between Floridians and their right to vote as U.S. citizens."
 He's the new George Wallace—the Alabama governor who defied the federal government
in order to deny African Americans their rights as citizens 49 years ago this month.
1
Gov. Wallace was the face of the original Jim Crow. Now,
Gov. Scott is the face of Jim Crow 2.0,
 as he refuses to halt his Latino-targeted voter purge, in defiance of federal law
and a Department of Justice order.
Gov. Scott's racist voter purge began nine months ago when Florida's Division of
Elections began challenging the rights of 180,000 voters based on bad information,
and with the election drawing nearer, it's coming to a head right now. When the Department
of Justice called on Florida to end the program, Gov. Scott responded this past Wednesday
that they would continue despite warnings that they may be in violation of federal
law.
2
Attorney General Eric Holder can block Gov. Scott from illegitimately kicking Floridians
off the voter roll.
 Attorney General Holder has the authority to sue the state and block the purge because
of the harm it does to Latino voters. He must act today to ensure that the courts
strike this program down before it's too late—and we lose another election.
Will you sign our petition to Attorney General Holder?
 It says "Block Florida's racist voter purge program immediately." We'll deliver
it to the attorney general at the Department of Justice headquarters in D.C. next
week.
Click here to add your name.
We've got to stop Gov. Scott and other state Republicans from stealing this election
for Republicans. According to the Brennan Center for Justice, 5 million votes will
be suppressed this election, largely targeting people of color and youth, who tend
to vote Democrat.
3
So, the 537 Florida votes that elected George W. Bush in 2000 are now 5 million votes
across 34 states suppressing the vote, which will elect Mitt Romney, along with a
Republican House and Senate.
Five million votes—if we don't stand up now, it'll be incredibly hard to win.
Thanks to analyses by The Miami Herald
 and other news outlets, we know that
Democrats and Latinos were most likely to be targeted by the program.
4
 They've shown that Rick Scott's plan seeks to disenfranchise key blocs of Obama
voters and threatens to tip a close election to Mitt Romney.
And beyond being a potential violation of the law, the racist voter purge is unpopular.
Fifty percent of Floridians disapprove of the governor's program—a higher percentage
than want their basketball team to win in the NBA Finals.
5
While Florida's program is the worst, it's not the only state finding new ways to
suppress votes. With racially stained voter ID laws that disproportionately impact
people of color and low-income voters, we need the Department of Justice to be forceful
and clear in its defense of voting rights everywhere.
It's time to make an example out of Florida so vote suppressors everywhere know that
if they come for our rights, there will be consequences.
Click here to call on the attorney general to block the Florida voter purge.
MoveOn members always stand and fight when people in power threaten democracy. This
year, the combination of big money flooding into our elections and coordinated voter
suppression tactics mean that we've got to fight harder than ever before.
The next move is ours, and we're going all-in. We're preparing a public ad assault
on the governor, using highly visible tactics to call this voter purge what it is:
a racist attempt at disenfranchising Latino voters.
Thanks for all you're doing to step up.
–Garlin, Emily, Victoria, Elena, and the rest of the team
Sources:
1. "Governor, halt the flawed voter purge,"
The Tampa Bay Times,
 June 8, 2012
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=276266&id=43470-9089709-9Kvz2Yx&t=5
2. "Florida Voter Rules Assailed By Judge, Justice Department," Bloomberg, June 1,
2012
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=276073&id=43470-9089709-9Kvz2Yx&t=6
3. "Voting Law Changes in 2012," Brennan Center for Justice, October 3, 2011
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=274212&id=43470-9089709-9Kvz2Yx&t=7
4. "Hispanics, Democrats biggest groups on Florida's list of potential noncitizen
voters, analysis shows,"
Tampa Bay Times,
 May 13, 2012
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=276072&id=43470-9089709-9Kvz2Yx&t=8
5. "Florida miscellany," Public Policy Polling, June 8, 2012
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=276267&id=43470-9089709-9Kvz2Yx&t=9
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Saturday, June 9, 2012

Dolls of All Sizes

Dolls of All Sizes.

If I Ever find a Tonnor doll in good condition, (every sighted person who has seen them talks about them looking believable) I will get it.  Don't care about box or clothing.  Dressing one would be a challenge.  I have heard that the "Jean" dolls look more similar than versions of Tyler Wentworth.  Do they?

The only Nattive American dolls I've found which look believable, according to sighted friends are porcelain.  Blind people, cats, and Porcelain don't mix well.  Does anyone know of Affordable Native American cloth dolls?  I remember this Incredible quilt made by a Cherokee lady in Oklahoma.  All of the people on the quilt were stuffed dolls with yarn hair, maybe four inches tall, and stood out from the quilt, although they were a part of it.  I am too deaf to know if this style, when applied to carving is called "bar relief" or "Ba relief."  But the people in scenes on the quilt were done in this style.  Who would put a work of art like That on for a Bed cover?

I would also like to find a Genny, (I've heard they all look pretty much alike except for color, do they?)  Lots of older dolls on my wishlist.

Are all Darcy dolls blond Maxie clones?  If not, I'd be interested in them too.  For that matter, did Maxie and Robbie ever have any friends other than Ashley the tanned redhead?  I like Hasbro dolls, if they don't all have the same face.  In my "Babysitter's Club" set, Christy and  Malory, feel like they have the same face.  Claudia's is different.  I don't have Mary Ann or Jessie. 

Does Reya of the Jem dolls look like she could be Latina?  That is an elusive and expensive doll.

Most G.I. Joes and male action figures (Jackie Chan) are beyond my budget, too.

So I find and enjoy what I can.  I have purchased a Journey Girl Taryn from Toys'R-us, and when I found a Karito Kids doll cheap on Amazon, I got Lulu too.  I already had an 18 inch BFC Yuko doll who looks more like a 13 year old than a little kid.

Guess I just Love dolls, so long as they aren't babies, or too small to enjoy by feel.  Honestly, all Kelly sized dolls feel pretty much alike to me, except for their hair and clothes.  Since their faces are too small to distinguish by touch, my favorites are the ones dressed up like animals, Belinda the Snail, two little lions, a ladybug, and a couple of frogs.  These are fun to touch as are a few of the dressed up ones, a wizard, witch, Desir`e Angel,  and two little elves.  There is also a aLeanne with a telescope and stars on her pajamas, I think.

But for anyone interested, Making clothes for larger  dolls has proved fun and a real challenge.  For one thing, unless elastic waists are used, all 18 to 21 inch dolls I have touched are thinner than American Girl dolls.  I understand from sighted people that the American Girl dolls are proportioned like living little kids in this country.  Maybe, since they are supposed to represent 8 year olds, other dolls who are supposed to be around 11, like the Journey Girls, Karito Kids, and Carpatina dolls have grown out of their childish plumpness.  But the 19 inch Vanange dolls who are supposed to be age 7 are also thinner.

This means that I really need to fit the clothing made To a Specific size of doll.  American Girl dolls are too chunky to wear clothing for Journey Girls or BFC. 18 inch dolls.  For Karito Kids or Vanange dolls of more than 18 inches, the length of clothing must also be adjusted. 

I have read that Journey Girls and American Girls can wear the same clothes.  Not so, unless Journey Girls and for that matter BFC. Dolls Like wearing baggy American Girl clothing.  The Carpatina dolls which are the same size as Magic Attic
Dolls are a completely Different body type.

I have endured a Lot of frustration, but also enjoyment in sewing for these dolls.  One pattern I bought, supposedly for an American Girl doll was followed exactly.  But the only way to make the dress Fit was to turn it upside down, sewing the straps on what the pattern claimed was the Bottom of the dress.  Ok, well it worked anyway.

If anyone has the time, I'd appreciate answers to the doll questions above.  Thank you.



Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Concern About Climate Change Equals Terrorism?

Climate Change Equals Terrorism?  It's  Changing

Do you remember my letter about the political institute which equated anyone concerned about climate change with terrorists and serial killers?  Don't worry, I Won't reprint it.

Anyway, some good news, hopefully.

This and other issues, a man working for a Congresswoman saying acid should be thrown on some women who disagreed with his position Really Bother me!

The problem is that when those in power or authority, or Anyone for that matter, makes hate speech they May not Mean it.  At least, when confronted, they Say they never meant it literally.  But we all, and especially people in authority, MUST remember that there are people who Will take them Literally. 

A doctor who performed late term abortions was shot dead in front of his wife at church.  A Congresswoman and some of those, including a child who had come to hear her speak were shot in Arizona.  Do I need to give More examples?

Acid Is thrown in the faces of little girls who want to  go to school by some in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and in the faces of women whose in-laws don't like them in several countries, including a policewoman in England.

"Lose lips" don't Only "sink ships", they can lead to the maiming and murders of our fellow citizens Here.

Whether I agree with the actions of another person or not, my stating in public what I think "should be done" to that person MUST take into consideration those who may DO what I say.

The info. Below is an example of Peaceful, hopefully non-hate filled speech.


You know what feels good? Winning. And that’s just what we’re doing.
We’ve just learned that yet another major Heartland Institute contributor, LKQ, has
pulled its support. With the loss of LKQ, which Heartland expected to contribute
$150,000 this year,
 the Heartland Institute has lost over a million dollars in expected support -- nearly
half of its total expected funding for this year.
 Thanks to your work, this hateful group of climate change deniers -- the same ones
who compared those of us concerned about climate change to serial killers and terrorists
-- has been seriously crippled.
Let’s take a moment to celebrate our incredible victory. Can you share the great
news with friends and family, to up the pressure on the dwindling list of companies
that remain?
Heartland's getting dumped by 19 corporations so far
Click here to share our graphic on Facebook!
Or forward this email to a friend, and encourage them to go to
http://sumofus.org/campaigns/heartland/
 to join you in taking action.
For decades,
climate change denial has been funded by the corporate world, aiming to confuse the
public about the overwhelming scientific consensus around global warming in order
to protect its profits.
 Your efforts represent a massive turning point -- not just for the Heartland Institute,
but for the entire climate change denier industry. Together, we are telling these
corporations that they
can’t simply keep funding this work without people like us holding them accountable.
Heartland Institute rally
Before last week’s conference, SumOfUs.org and our allies at Forecast the Facts and
350 tried to get Clear Channel -- the same company that ran Heartland's billboard
-- to run our response ads calling on Pfizer and others to quit funding Heartland.
When Clear Channel refused, you came to the rescue. You helped fund a rally outside
the conference and
people-powered bike billboards
that circled the conference venue,
 exposing Comcast, Pfizer and Microsoft, which continue to support Heartland’s extremism
. The rally got so much attention that even a couple notorious climate change deniers
came out to see what the commotion was about.
All the attention we’ve brought to Heartland’s anti-climate crusade over the past
few months culminated in this moment: In his closing remarks, Heartland President
Joseph Bast admitted that his group is running out of resources -- because we’ve
gotten so many corporations to flee -- and he announced that,
 due to a lack of funding, this would be Heartland’s last planned climate change
denial conference!
Let’s keep the momentum going, and up the pressure on the rest of Heartland’s funders.
Click here to share the graphic above on Facebook.
Thanks for all you do,
--Kaytee, Taren, Emma, Claiborne and the rest of us
P.S. There has been some amazing media coverage of the Heartland story, and our campaign
has been at the center of the story.
Politico dubbed our growing movement to call out corporations who meddle in democracy
the “shame lobby,” citing a “string of stunning victories recently that would have
been unthinkable even just a few years ago.”
 Here are a few of the best write-ups that you may want to check out.
Politico,
The Shame Lobby
, 16 May 2012
Guardian,
Heartland Institute facing uncertain future as staff depart and cash dries up
, 20 May 2012
 SumOfUs is a world-wide movement of people like you, working together to hold corporations
accountable for their actions and forge a new, sustainable path for our global economy.
You can follow us on
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